Integral double flare adapter



Sheet ofg Jan. 14, 1969 R. v. STRYBEL ET AL INTEGRAL DOUBLE FLARE ADAPTER Filed June 23, 1966 l A l Int/eww:- L'c/Lamzlfl'g leonard aw WIM/,w79

R. v. STRYBEL ET AL 3,421,354

Jan. 14, 1969 INTEGRAL DOUBLE FLARE ADAPTER .a of 2 Sheet Filed June 23, 1966 Il m1 m. no. ,.mim

United States Patent 8 Claims ABSTRACT 0F DISCLOSURE A tool for double flaring the end of metal tubing. The tool includes a pair of tube clamping bars defining a plurality of different size tube clamp recesses, and a flaring cone carried on a suitable yoke cooperatively associated with the clamping bars to permit movement of the flaring cone forcibly coaxially of any one of the tube clamping recesses for flaring a tube end retained therein. A carrier is movably mounted on Ione of the clamping bars for selective disposition in overlying relationship to the recesses and in spaced relationship thereto adjacent a handle portion defined by one of the clamping bars. The carrier is provided with a plurality of adapters corresponding to the different tube holding recesses for providing a suitable initial belling of the tube end for subsequent completion of a double flare operation by the flaring cone upon withdrawal of the carrier to the retracted position adjacent the handle.

This invention relates to flaring tools and in particular to flaring tools for providing a double flare in the end of a metal tube.

In certain applications, it is desirable to provide a tube to be connected to a fitting with an end having the distal portion thereof folded back inwardly so as to define a double walled flare. To provide such a double flare in the tube end, a flaring adapter is firstly urged against the end of the tube to bell the tube end and form therein a first flare. The adapter is then removed from the end of the tube, and a conventional flaring cone is then urged axially downwardly into the tube to bear against the first flare and fold it inwardly to define the final double flared configuration. Such adapters have been provided as individual elements suitably sized for the different size tube ends to be so double flared. In certain instances, the adapters are provided on a carrier which is movably associated with a flaring cone means so as to be selectively spaced from and disposable in the axial path of movement of the flaring cone to permit seriatim the double flare steps discussed above. The tube end is held in axial alignment with the flaring cone by a suitable clamping means. An excellent example of such a tool is that `shown in United States Patent No. Re, 24,325. In another form of conventional flaring tool, the means for clamping the tube end for engagement by the flaring cone comprises a pair of clamping bars defining a plurality of recesses in which different diameter tube ends are clamped for engagement by the flaring cone. An excellent example of such a flaring tool is that shown in United States Patent No. 2,553,813 and PatentNo. 3,027,931.

The present invention comprehends an improved flaring tool structure wherein new and improved means are provided for carrying such a plurality of double flare adapters in association with a bar type tube clamp for yfacilitated double flaring of a tube end held therein.

Thus, a principal object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved flaring tool structure.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a flaring tool structure having new and improved means for providing a double flare in a tube end.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a flaring tool structure wherein a clamp bar type of tube clamping means is provided with an integrally associated carrier carrying a plurality of different size adapters and movably associated with the clamping means for selectively disposing the adapters in a retracted position adjacent a handle integrally associated with the clamping means and correspondingly in operative belling association with a tube end clamped in any one of the respective recesses of the clamping means.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a flaring tool structure including means for recessing the carrier and adapters in the retracted position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a flaring tool structure wherein the carrier and adapters effectively form a portion of the tool handle when disposed in the retracted position.

A yet further object of the invention is the provision of such a flaring tool structure wherein the carrier is movable mounted on the clamping means to be closely juxtaposed to the handle of the clamping means when in the retracted position and spaced from the clamping means when in the belling position.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a flaring tool structure wherein the carrier is further provided with gauging means for indicating the proper disposition of the end of a tube received in any one of the clamping means recesses for proper double flaring thereof.

A yet further object of the invention is the provision of such a flaring tool structure wherein the carrier is provided with manipulating means for facilitated manipulation of the carrier from the retracted position toward the operative belling position.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a flaring tool embodying the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top elevation of the clamping means thereof with portions broken away to facilitate the illustration;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary vertical section similar to that of FIGURE 4 but illustrating the use of the gauging means in connection with a different diameter tube end;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section similar to that of FIG- URE 4 but illustrating the gauging means in connection with a still further different diameter tube end;

FIGURE 7 is a horizontal section showing the clamping means in top plan view and with the yoke legs in horizontal section in full lines in the operative position and in dotted lines in the position for movement of the yolke relative to the clamping means;

FIGURE 48 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially along the line 18--8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE l0 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially along the line 10--10 of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE ll is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating the disposition of the flaring cone against the belled tube end to initiate the final step of double flaring the tube end; and

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating the arrangement of the flaring cone as upon completion of the double flaring operation.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing, a Haring tool generally designated is shown to comprise a yoke 11 of generally U-shaped configuration having a pair of legs 12 and 13 and a bight portion 14 through which is threaded a stem 1S. The stern 15 carries at its lower end a flaring cone 16 and is provided at its upper end with a handle 17 for effecting axial movement of the stem and flaring cone as an incident of the threaded rotation of the stem through the yoke bight 14. As shown in FIGURE 8, the yoke legs 12 and 13 are provided with inturned distal portions 18 and 19, respectively defining shoulders 2li and 21.

A clamping ymeans generally designated 22 is provided for clamping any one of a plurality of tube ends to be flared in the tool 1d. The clamping means 22 includes a pair of clamping bars 23 and 24 which are pivotally connected by a suitable pivot structure 2S. Clamping bar 23 is provided with a plurality of semicylindrical recesses 26 and clamping bar 24 is provided with a corresponding plurality of semicylindrical recesses 27 which when the clamping bars are disposed in side-by-side relationship as shown in FIG'URE 2 define a plurality of different size tube clamping recesses 28a, 28h, 28C, 28d and 28e, respectively. Means are provided for drawing the clamp bars pivotally tightly together in the position of FIGURE 2 so as to tightly clamp the selected tube end in its corresponding recess such as tube end T in recess 28h. Herein, the clamping means comprises a male threaded member 29 having one end connected to the clamping bar 23 by suitable pivot 30 and threaded distal portion 31 on which is threadedly received a female threaded member 32 having a clamping shoulder 33 adapted to bear against the side surface 34 of clamping bar 24. As shown in FIGURE 3, the threaded end 31 of the male member 29 is removably disposable in a slot 35 in the end of the clamping bar 24 to permit the above described engagement of the shoulder 33 with the surface 34 when the male member 29 is swung to the position of FIGURES 2 and 3. The female member 32 is advanced against the clamp bar surface 34 by rotation thereof as by a suitable handle 36.

The above described tool structure is substantially conventional. However, as discussed briefly above, tube 10 is further arranged to provide in a novel and simple manner a double iiare in any one of the different size tubes adapted to be received in the tube clamping recesses 28a- 28e, respectively. More specifically, the tool 1i) includes a carrier 37 comprising an elongated bar having one end connected to a handle extension 38 of the clamping bar 24 by means of a s-uitable pivot 39. As shown in FIGURE 9, the pivot 39 includes a pivot pin 40 fixedly secured to the clamping bar handle 3S to project upwardly of the upper surface 41 of the clamping bar, and a coil spring 42 received in an annular -recess 43 in the clamping bar to be compressed between a bottom surface 44 of the recess and the underside 46 of the carrier 37, thereby urging the carrier upwardly, or away, from the clamping bar surface 41.

The carrier 37 may swing freely on the pivot pin 40 so as to be selectively disposable in the operating position of FIGURE 9, and a retracted position substantially coextensive with the handle portion 38 of the clamping bar 24 as shown in bro-ken lines in FIGURE 2. When disposed in the retracted position, the carrier 37 is received in a recess 47 defined by the upper surface 48 of the handle portion 38 of the clamping bar 24, and the undersurface 49 of a cover member 50 secured to the handle 38 Iby suitable means such as screws 51.

As best seen in FIGURES 1 and 3, the cover member 50 includes a depending connecting portion 52 and a right angularly turned cover portion 53. The cover portion includes an outer section 54 extending generally parallel to the surface 48 of the handle 38 and an inner section 55 extending substantially parallel to the surface 48, but spaced slightly further therefrom by means of an angularly extending connecting portion 56.

As shown in FIGURE 3, in the operating position, the carrier 37 as shown in broken lines is urged upwardly by the pivot spring 42 to bear against the inner portion 55 of the cover member and, thus, be spaced substantially from the upper surface 41 of the clamping member 24. When, however, the carrier 37 is swung on pivot pin 40 to be received in the recess 47, the carrier is cammed downwardly against the action `of spring 42 by its engagement with the undersurface 49 of the cover portion 53 to an increasing amount by the inclined portion 56 and to a maximum amount by the outermost portion 53. Thus, in the retracted position, the carrier is closely juxtaposed to the handle 38 and effectively defines with the handle and the cover member 50 the grasping portion of the tool.l

As best shown inF-IGURE 9, theA undersurface 46 of the carrier 37 defines a plurality of double flare belling adapters 57a, 57h, 57C, 57d and 57e corresponding respectively to the recesses 28a-28e, i.e., coaxially aligned therewith when the carrier 37 is in the operative position. The upper surface 58 of thev carrier 37 is provided with a plurality of conical recesses 59 adapted to receive the lower end of the conical flaring cone 16, one conical recess 59 being aligned coaxially 'with each of the adapters 57a-57e. As further shown in FIGURE 9, each of the recesses 28a-28e includes an upper frusto-conical flaring lguide surface `60 and a threadedcylindrical surface 61.

Turning now to FIGURES 2 and 3, the carrier 37 further includes a gauging means 62 defined by a stepped edge 63 ofthe carrier. More specifically, as shown in FIGURE 3, the stepped edge 63 includes a first portion 63a aligned with tube clamping recess 28a, a second portion 63b aligned with each of tube clamping recesses 28h and 28e, a third portion 63d aligned with tube clamping recess 28d, and an unrelieved portion 63e aligned with recess 28e.

As further shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, the carrier 37 is provided with a manipulating distal end portion 64 which projects outwardly slightly from the cover member 5G when the carrier member is in the retracted position, thereby providing for facilitated movement of the carrier member from the retracted position to the operating position.

The pivot structure 2S, as shown in FIGURE 10, herein comprises a female connector 65 disposed in a recess 66 in clamping bar 23 and pivotally mounted thereon by a suitable pivot pin 67. A male connector in the form of a screw 68 has its shank 69 threadedly received in the female connector 65 and has its head 70 received in a chamfered recess 71 of a bore 72 provided in the clamping bar 24. Thus, by suitably rotating the male member 68, the pivotal connection of the clam-ping bar 23 may be urged toward or away from the clamping bar 24 thereby to adjust the clamping action between the clamping bars in holding the tube ends in the respective clamping recesses.

In operation, the user firstly installs the tube end to be double iiared in the appropriate clamping recess so that the end of the tube projects upwardly from the upper surface of the clamping bar 23 such as shown in FIG- URE 4 wherein a tube T is disposed in the recess 28b. The carrier 37 is disposed in the gauging position as illustrated in FIGURE 2 wherein the edge 63 overlies the clamping bar 23 so as to dispose the gauge 64 adjacent the upper end of the tube. To effect the desired gauging, the carrier is pressed down manually against the action of the coil spring 42 to cause the lower surface 46 of the carrier to engage the upper surface 41 of the clamping bar 23. The gauging portion 63b is aligned with the end of the tube T and the tube is axially adjusted in the clamping recess 28b until it terminates iiush with the gauging surface 63b whereupon the clamping member 32 is rotated to clamp the bars 23 and 24 tightly together and thereby secure the tube end T positively in the position of FIGURE 4.

The carrier member 37 is then released so as to permit the spring 42 to urge it upwardly or away from the clamping bar surface 41 and permit the adapter 57b to be disposed coaxially above the tube end T as shown in FIG- URE 8. The yoke 11 is then disposed in operative position on the clamping bar means 22 as shown in FIG- URES 1, 7 and 8, with the clamping bar 23 resting on the shoulder and the clamping bar 24 resting on the shoulder 21 of the yoke legs 12 and 13, respectively, and with the tube clamping recess 28b disposed coaxially of the flaring cone 16. The handle 17 is then rotated to turn the stern 15 and thusly bring the flaring cone 16 downwardly into the recess 59 of the carrier member 37 to urge the carrier member downwardly against the action of spring 42 and cause the adapter 57b to `bell the tube end inwardly as shown in FIGURES 8 and 9 to complete the first step of the double liare.

The yoke 11 is then turned from the angular disposition of FIGURE 1 to the right angular disposition shown in dotted lines in 'FIGURE 7 to permit the yoke to be moved from straddling relationship with the clamping bars 23 and 24 and allow the carrier member 37 to be swung back to the retracted position within recess 47 adjacent handle 38. As indicated above, the carrier member is automatically cammed into juxtaposition to the handle 38 from the outwardly spaced position effected by the spring 42 when the yoke and flaring cone structure are removed.

T-he yoke is then moved back over the clamping bars 23 and 24 to dispose the flaring cone 16 once again in axial alignment with the tube end T which as shown in FIGURE 1l is now provided with the belled end portion 73. The handle 17 is again rotated to force the flaring cone axially downwardly into the end of the tube T and fold the end portion 73 downwardly to form the completed double flare 74 as shown in FIGURE l2. During the final forcing of the flaring cone 16 into the tube end 73, the carrier 37 cooperates with the cover member 50 and the handle portion 38 of the iiaring member 24 to define the grasping portion of the tool.

As shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, different size tubes such as tubes T' and T may be selectively positioned in the clamping recesses by means of the corresponding gauges such as gauges 63a and 63e of the gauge means 63.

Thus, carrier member 37 is provided with a plurality of adapters 57a-57e arranged for facilitated selective disposition in operative relationship to the clamping recesses of the clamping bars 23 and 24 and in retracted disposition to form a portion of the grasping handle during the final steps of the double flare operation. The carrier is suitably mounted for facilitated use thereof as a gauge means while yet is automatically disposed in spaced relationship to the clamping means when desired for facilitated disposition in tube end engagement for initiation of the double flare operation. The cover member provides an automatic camming of the carrier member to the retracted position juxtaposed to the handle to provide a sturdy grasping portion of the tool during the final portion of the double liare operation. Thus, the tool 10 is extremely simple and economical of construction While yet providing facilitated double flaring of any one of a plurality of different size tube ends.

While we have shown and described one embodiment of our invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a tool for double flaring the end of any one of a plurality of different diameter tubes, having clamping means defined by a pair of tube clamping bars defining a plurality of axially parallel, cylindrical tube clamp recesses, each of said recesses having a different diameter, means for causing a tube end received in a correspondingly sized one of said recesses to be retained therein against axial displacement to be flared by a suitable flaring cone means, structure comprising:

means defining a handle extending from one of said clamping bars;

a carrier having a plurality of fixed adapters arranged to be disposed in correlated axially aligned relationship one each to each of said recesses when the carrier is juxtaposed in `an operative lhelling position to said clamping bars; and

means for movably mounting said carrier on said tool for selective disposition in said operative belling position and in an inoperative retracted position spaced from said recesses and adjacent said handle, said mounting means including means permitting limited movement of said carrier in a Vdirection parallel to the axes of said recesses.

2. The tool structure of claim 1 wherein a cover member is secured to said' handle and defines therebetween a recess for substantially fully receiving said carrier in said retracted position.

3. The tool structure of claim 1 including means for camming said carrier into close facial juxtaposition to said handle when said carrier is moved to said retracted position and means for causing said carrier to be yieldingly spaced from said clamping bars when said carrier is disposed in said operative position.

4. The tool structure of claim 1 wherein said carrier effectively forms with said handle when the carrier is in said retracted position the gripping means of said tool.

5. The tool structure of claim 1 wherein said carrier is further provided with gauge means arranged to indicate the correct position for the end of the tube in each of said recesses.

6. The tool structure of claim 1 including means for causing said carrier to be yieldingly spaced from said clamping bars when said carrier is disposed in said operative position, and said carrier is further provided with gauge means arranged to indicate the correct posit-ion for the end of the tube in each of said recesses with said carrier disposed against the action of the yielding spacing means in engagement .with said clamping means adjacent said recesses.

7. The tool structure of claim 1 wherein said carrier is pivotally carried ou said handle.

8. The tool structure of claim 1 wherein the carrier is provided with a manipulating portion projecting outwardly from the handle means with the carrier disposed in the retracted position for facilitated manipulation of the carrier from the retracted position toward said belling position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,915,107 12/1959 Wilson 72-31 X 2,932,338 4/1960 Franck 72--317 X 3,027,931 4/1962 Franck 72--317 X 3,109,479 11/1963 Wolcott 72--317 CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner. E. SUTTON, Assistant Examiner. 

